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HR 2904 99th Congress House

Federal Communications Commission Network Acquisition Approval Act of 1985

Official title: A bill to provide that the Federal Communications Commission review the proposed acquisition of television networks to ensure such acquisitions are in the public interest, and for other purposes.

Introduced: July 30, 1985 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Administrative procedureCommunications and BroadcastingCorporate mergersCorporate reorganizations
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Corporations and StocksFederal Communications CommissionTelevisionTelevision industry
This bill died when the 99th Congress ended
It never became law before the 99th Congress (1985–1986) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 8, 1985
Referred to Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Consumer Protection and Finance.
Jun 27, 1985
Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jun 27, 1985
Introduced in House
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 Latest action July 8, 1985

Referred to Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Consumer Protection and Finance.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Federal Communications Commission Network Acquisition Approval Act of 1985 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission to take specified actions before granting any application proposing the acquisition of ownership or control of a television network whose board of directors has not approved the acquisition. Directs the Commission to require the applicant to file specified information, including: (1) the identities, managerial expertise, and financial resources of the persons involved in the acquisition; (2) the sources of funds and the details of financial arrangements involved in the acquisition, as well as any plan to liquidate assets; (3) any reduction in service to any community that would result from the acquisition; and (4) the reasons that the acquisition would benefit the public interest, convenience, and necessity. Directs the Commission to: (1) issue a public notice indicating that such information is available for public inspection; (2) allow a party 30 days after such notice is issued to file a petition to deny the application; and (3) conduct a full evidentiary hearing on such application.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2904: Federal Communications Commission Network Acquisition Approval Act of 1985. 99th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-2904/
MLA
"H.R. 2904: Federal Communications Commission Network Acquisition Approval Act of 1985." 99th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-2904/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2904, 99th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-2904/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2904: Federal Communications Commission Network Acquisition Approval Act of 1985](https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-2904/)
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